Rita H. (Baldwin, Kertels) Butson 1929-2015

BUTSON, KERTELS, BALDWIN, SCHLARMANN, BUTLETT, MEMMOLO, FERNANDEZ

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 9/16/2015 at 15:28:38

Rita H. (Kertels) Butson

Rita H. (BALDWIN, Kertels) Butson, 85, of Cascade, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at 6:30 a.m. at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Rita may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a CDA Rosary will be held at 4 p.m.; the Farley American Legion Service Auxiliary will be held at 6:30 p.m.; and a wake service will be held at 8:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m. Friday at the Funeral Home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 15, at St. Joseph's Church in Farley, with Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Rita was born on June 29, 1929 in Sommerville, Mass., daughter of John and Margaret Baldwin. She was united in marriage on Nov. 22, 1945 to Andrew N. Kertels. Together they operated Kertels Well Drilling, Plumbing, and Heating in Farley until 1971. Rita was also employed at Roshek's, the Ertl Company in Dyersville and John Deere Dubuque Works until she retired in 1984.

She was a member of St. Joseph's Parish and its Altar and Rosary Society, a lifetime member of the Farley American Legion Auxiliary #656, and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America-Presentation Court # 1460.

She enjoyed dancing, playing cards, and camping with her family. She loved to travel and her favorite trip was to London, England. She also enjoyed trips to Branson, MO, where she enjoyed many country shows.

Family was important to Rita, and those left to cherish her memory are her children, Star (Jerry) Schlarmann of Clive, John (Mary) Kertels of Farley, Nick (Chong) Kertels of Davenport, Joe (Annette) Kertels of Hinton, and Rita (Clint) Butlett of Eldridge. She enjoyed spending time with her 14 grandchildren, Jerry J. Schlarmann, Starla (John) Doerter, Andy Schlarmann, Angie (Brian) Branstetter, Johnny (Chris) Kertels, Robin (Scott) DeMuth, Nicky Kertels, Susan Caruthers, Joseph (Alyssa) Kertels, Andy Kertels, Katie Kertels, CJ Butlett, Samantha (Seth) Sander, and Nicole Butlett. She also enjoyed time with her 18 great-grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Andrew N. Kertels, on May 13, 1989; her second husband, Keith I. Butson; a son, Andy Pat Kertels, on July 7, 1948; her parents; three brothers, George, Eugene, and Leonard; and two sisters, Florence Memmolo and Joan Fernandez.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com